Fiji Rural Electrification Support Project [FREF]

The objective of the Project is to improve access to electricity generated from renewable energy sources in the Project Areas.
2. The Project shall comprise:
(a) Increasing renewable energy supply in the Project Areas through activities including: (i) expanding and upgrading of the mini-hydropower facility in Buca village, and (ii) installation of a solar photovoltaic based mini-grid comprised of battery energy storage system in Tiliva village.
(b) Strengthening capacity for operations and maintenance (O&M) through activities including: (i) institutional strengthening of Department of Energy, the Ministry of Public
Works, Meteorological Services and Transport (DOE) and other relevant energy sector agencies in planning, budgeting, and executing O&M program, and (ii) assisting DOE to carry out its capacity development and awareness raising program targeting villagers in the Project Areas to enable carrying out of O&M responsibilities.

• Output 1 — Renewable energy supply in project areas increased:
(i) Buca mini-hydropower facility expansion — works and equipment to provide renewable generation to around 120 households (720 beneficiaries) in Buca village, Vanua Levu.
(ii) Tiliva (Kadavu) solar PV mini-grid with BESS — electrify 70 households (350 beneficiaries) in Tiliva Village, Nakasaleka District (including women-headed households).
• Output 2 — Capacity for operations & maintenance strengthened:
• Capacity development: Project Implementation Consultant; capacity development for DOE and EFL for O&M (training of ~15 staff with target 20% women; community training for 12 villagers with 25% women) and an internship program at DOE (target 20% women interns).
• Procurement packages: contracts include mini-hydro facility (~USD 1.1M), solar PV mini-grid (~USD 0.9M), capacity development / PIC (~USD 0.9M). Procurement plan and schedule in Project Administration Manual (PAM).

Gender Action Plan (GAP) is prepared and publicly disclosed (separate GAP document). Key GAP elements (detailed):
• Classification: Effective gender mainstreaming (EGM).
• Training & awareness: At least one training for all project staff and contract workers on gender-sensitive design and implementation upon mobilisation and after commissioning.
• Public awareness & consultations: Gender-inclusive stakeholder consultations at Buca & Tiliva (target: 50% women).
• Public programs: At least two public awareness programs (one in each site) targeting women & youth (50% women participation).
• Connections: 120 households in Buca connected; 70 households in Tiliva connected (sex-disaggregated beneficiary monitoring).
• Data collection: Sex-disaggregated data collection for beneficiaries and service points.
• Capacity & institutional: Gender assessment of DOE capacity; policy dialogue to mainstream gender in energy policy; training targeted at DOE/EFL staff (targeting 20% women among trainees); internships at DOE (>=20% women interns).
• Community training: At least 12 villagers (25% women) trained in O&M for the facilities.
• Monitoring: GAP progress to be tracked through PMU and National Gender Specialist and included in quarterly reports. Full GAP targets, timeline and responsibilities are provided in the GAP annex.

Procurement plan and tenders progressed.

Technology & technical transfer included:
• Solar PV + BESS technology deployed at Tiliva (mini-grid) — technology transfer in PV and battery storage design, procurement, installation and O&M.
• Mini-hydropower refurbishment / upgrade technologies and standards for Buca — transfer of small hydropower technical expertise in works, commissioning and O&M.
• Capacity development for O&M — training DOE, EFL, community members in O&M (technical skills transfer), plus internships for young engineers/technicians.
The PAM lists capacity development activities, technical consultant recruitment and training sessions (e.g., train 15 DOE/EFL staff; community O&M training for 12 villagers). These are concrete technology transfer & skill development measures.

Explicit capacity building measures:
• Institutional strengthening of DOE for planning, budgeting and executing O&M programs.
• Capacity development package: O&M training for DOE & EFL staff (15 staff targeted with 20% women), community training for O&M (12 villagers, 25% women), internship program at DOE (target 20% women interns).
• Technical assistance (project implementation consultant) to support procurement, construction supervision, O&M arrangements and handover.
• Policy dialogues & gender mainstreaming capacity building. The PAM and GAP list precise timelines and responsibilities for capacity building activities.